Human Dignity and the Metaphysical Crisis in Postmodern Ethics

Area of Science:

• Philosophy
• Metaphysics
• Bioethics

Background:

• Human dignity is central to ethical, legal, and political discussions but lacks a solid ontological basis.
• Modern thought's shift from realism to nominalism has fragmented the concept of dignity.
• Dignity is increasingly linked to contingent attributes, excluding vulnerable populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To argue that a realist conception of human nature is essential for sustaining human dignity.
• To demonstrate how nominalism and the abandonment of objective human essence lead to dignity's fragility.
• To explore the implications of this metaphysical crisis for contemporary bioethics.

Main Methods:

• Historical and philosophical analysis of metaphysical concepts (realism vs. nominalism).
• Examination of the evolution of personhood definitions in modern thought.
• Analysis of bioethical debates concerning dignity in areas like AI and end-of-life care.

Main Results:

• A realist metaphysics, positing a stable human essence, is necessary for a coherent understanding of dignity.
• Nominalism leads to dignity being defined by contingent, often exclusionary, criteria.
• Without an ontological foundation, dignity is vulnerable to reductionism and relativism.

Conclusions:

• Defending human dignity in the postmodern era necessitates a return to realist metaphysics.
• A realist framework supports moral coherence, dialogue, and responsibility.
• Re-examining the being of the human person is crucial for an inviolable concept of dignity.